Bimmer Performance Center Tune on 128 with N54 intake manifold

[Phil@BPC]

This past Friday we had a rather unique 2010 128i come in for dyno pulls and a tune. This 128i has AA headers, 135i muffler with resonator delete and N54 intake manifold and 128i US air box with K&N filter installed.

• Stock 128i 6mt - 201.39whp 185.88wtq
• With modifications w/o BPC tune - 235.25whp 200.48wtq
• With all modifications + BPC tune 248.04whp 207.31wtq

The customer has future plans of making more power with more upgrades. We cant wait to see what the future holds for this 128i.

Overall the customer was very happy with the outcome, just in time for Christmas 😀

For any inquiries or appointments feel free to contact us at (919) 501-2090 or email Tom at Thomas@bimmerperformancecenter.com or Randall at Randall@bimmerperformancecenter.com

[bionicbelly]

Dang. That is really nice. Didn't know the N54 intake was a thing. Probably a LOT easier for people to find in the US. Does it have DISA valves and such? Is there a weight difference between it and the 3 stage manifold?

[Phil@BPC]

The N54 Intake manifold does not have/ use DISA Valves. I would think that with the lack of DISA valves it would be lesser weight...

Here is a link to a thread from 2016 from when we were experimenting with the N54 manifold:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1267573

[Kgolf31]

Interesting choice with the N54. You can really see it not optimized for the N52 engine with the drop in torque around 4k.

Breathes alot easier on the top end though, with a custom 3" exhaust it should really shine

[asbrr]

Amazing - very healthy top end with the combo of headers and short intake runners of the N54 manifold. One question - with a 3 stage IM and the last DISA valve engaged (shortest runner length), does the n54 manifold still have shorter runners?

Meaning - the N54 manifold will always make a bit better power up high in the rev range vs the 3 stage IM with DISA.

[Taskmaster]

That dip around 4K is likely a harmonic/resonance related issue from the intake.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by bionicbelly

Dang. That is really nice. Didn't know the N54 intake was a thing. Probably a LOT easier for people to find in the US. Does it have DISA valves and such? Is there a weight difference between it and the 3 stage manifold?

The 3-stage intake manifold is not hard to find in the US at all. It's not a Euro-only part, and was found stock on any car with the N51 engine (probably tens of thousands of 1, 3, and 5 Series cars), as well as fewer high output N52s (3ers, X3s, Z4s, maybe others). Should be pretty plentiful in junkyards, especially in SULEV states like CA. In fact, I'd guess even more were sold in the US than N54s.

[tsk94]

Graphs look at have less dips then the 3IM dyno's. What's the advantage to one over the other?

[chris_flies]

Nice dyno! Power looks very linear, except for that drop at 4k.

[Taskmaster]

I'd like to see the MILVs on a N54 manifold car. You can also probably tune out that dip in around 4000 with a different intake or larger/longer (after the MAF) intake tube.

CobraMarty hassmaschine

[mechavore884]

coming across this late, but that manifold thing has me baffled